The Knitters took another significant step towards ensuring Dr Martens Premier football next season with a well-deserved point at Ladysmead that stretches their unbeaten run to five games.

After gifting Tivvy's Steve Ovens an early goal, United created enough chances to take all three points - and just when it looked as though it would end in frustration for Dean Thomas' men, Andy Penny levelled with little more than five minutes remaining.

Two minutes into his league debut, United reserve keeper Farhad Afandiyev pushed Marcus Gross' drive onto a post, before a mix-up with Scott Eustace enabled Tivvy to take the lead a minute later.

As Afandiyev needlessly raced off his line, Eustace's clearance reached Ovens, who subsequently directed the ball into the unguarded net from 30 yards.

Hinckley then emerged to finish the half as the stronger of the two sides - Jamie Williams twice went close, Paul Hunter forced on-loan keeper Jamie Atwell to save, and Guy Hadland stabbed an effort just wide before half-time.

After the break, United began with the same determination, and but for a few rare occasions, were camped in Tivvy territory for the majority of the half as they sought the equaliser.

Atwell produced a fine onehanded save to deny Morton Titterton after a surging run from the Hinckley captain, and Williams was again guilty of missing two great openings.

Then finally, after some sustained pressure around the Tivvy area, Penny headed past Atwell from Jamie Lenton's cross to secure a point.